Tubular connection and sealing means therefor



E. HOWE March 21, 1944.

TUBULAR CONNECTION AND SEALING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 2, 1943 Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICF TUBULAR CONNECTION AND SEALING MEANS THEREFOR Application January 2, 1943, Serial No. 471,100

1 Claim.

My invention relates to an improvement in tube connections and has for one purpose the provision of improved connecting means for tubing or pipes having thin walls. A principal biect of my invention is the provision of a fluid tight connection for tubing which is utilizable in connecting tubing extending between fixed or substantially fixed members, such as cylinders, tanks. connections, and the like.

Another purpose is the provision of a fluid tight connection for tubing, which includes a resilient member that provides for a limited universal movement of the tubing, cushioning the tubing against vibration, metal fatigue, and constant danger of breaking the same, while permitting the tubing or connections therefor to be applied between members, the spacing between which is relatively fixed.

Another purpose is the provision of a fluid tight joint for tubing utilizable where the tubing and the Joint have to be inserted in a restricted space.

Another purpose is the provision of such a joint which is utilizable with a tubing which has to have an endwise movement imparted to it for its insertion into and removal from the joint area.

Another purpose is the provision of an improved ioint in which sealing means are longitudinally movable on the tubing during the application or removal of the Joint.

Another purpose is the provision of a Joint or a plurality of joints operative for securing a tube to two relatively fixedpmembers, with the ends of the tube, out of axial alignment.

I illustrate my invention moreor less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with parts in section. illustrating the application of the tubing and joints to relatively fixed abutments;

Fig. 2 is an axial section through the structure shown in Fig. 1, with the Joints released, and illustrating the necessary movement of the tube preliminary to securing the joints;

Fig. 3 is a section on an enlarged scale taken on the line 3-3 0! Fig. 2; illustrating the Joints in closed position:

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l oi a variant application of the invention.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawing.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, I and 2 diagrammaticaliy illustrate members, such as cylinders, tanks, or the like, which will be understood to be at a substantially uniform distance from each other-that is to say-i and 2 need not be moved toward or away from each other during the application of the Joint.

I is any suitable tubular member, herein shown as a thin walled tube. It will be understood, however, that the present joint may be applied practically to tubes of substantial thickness of wall, as well as to tubes so thin walled as to be delicate and easily deformed.

4, 5 generally'illustrate fittings having externally screw threaded end portions 8, 1, screw threaded into apertures in the members I and 2, respectively. Each such fitting has an enlarged portion 8, 9, shown in the form of a hexagon, and

a generally cylindrical portion II, II, extending therefrom on the opposite side of the member il, 9 from the member 6, 1. Within the portion ii, iii of the fitting l a passage II is illustrated as of somewhat greater bore than the passage I! of the member 6. The corresponding bore ll of the fitting 5 is shown as shorter and as not extending as far as the hexagon portion I. The inner end of each fitting terminates in a conic surface it.

Slidable on the member 8 are two hollow nuts it, which may be identical but reversed. as shown in Fig. 2. They include an inwardly screw threaded portion il adapted to mesh with the external screw threads of the members shown in Ill and II.

At the right hand end or the tube I a ferrule I8 is illustrated, having a circumferential outwardly extending fin or rib It. The edges of the ferrule are shown as crimped into the wall oi the tube. as at 20. It will be understood, however, that any suitable means may be applied for securing the ferrule against movement in relation to the end of the tube 3 to which it is applied. This ferrule is illustrated in my application Serial No. 416,235, filed October 23, 1941, which issued as Patent No. 2,301,280, on November 10, 1942. A method of applying such a ferrule to the joint. and a tool for applying it are shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 464,183, filed November 2, 1942.

It will be understood, however. that any suitable means may be employed tor fixing the out wardly extending rib It, or its equivalent, to the tube. In fact, the tube itself may be crimped or deformed to provide an outward proiection. Burrounding the ferrule 18 and the rib II is a mass of flexible distortable material of rubber, or preferably a rubber substitute, illustrated at II. It is anchored in position on the tube 3 by the rib ID of the ferrule. It may surround th ferrule proper, or, as shown in Fig. 2. it may be of sumcientaxial length to surround adjacent parts of the tube.

At the opposite end of the tube I illustrate a sliding ferrule 22, with its rib 23 and its surrounding mass or ring N of flexible distortable material. It will be understood that the ferrule and the rib, while snugly fitting about the tube, may slide longitudinally in relation to the tube when the Joint is released. It will be understood that in applying the tube I and its Joints to the permanently spaced fittings 4 and 5, the left end of the tube can readily be moved into the bore If the fitting l, far enough to permit the opposite end of the tube 3. with its ferrule and compressible washer already in position, to be aligned with the inner end of the fitting B. The tube I is then moved to the right until the washer 2| engages the conic surface it of the fitting. The nut Ii is then moved into position and threaded on the portion ll of the fitting. The parts are preferably so proportioned that, when the member ii reaches its end or closed position, as shown in Fig. 3, the flexible distortablc mass 2| is sublooted to very substantial pressure and entirely fills the pressure chamber formed by the conic surface ii, the inner wall 25 of the nut it, the conic wall 20 of the inner end of the nut l8, and the ferrule and adjacent parts of the tube.

To close the opposite Joint, the ferrule 22 and its surrounding washer or mass of flexible distortable material 24 is slid along the tube until the washer engages the conic surface it of the fitting 4. Then the nut i! is tightened, and the flexible distortable mass 2. fills the pressure chamber of the last mentioned fitting. The only diiference between the two joints is that the ferrule is slidable on the end of the tube. But this makes no difierence as the tube I itself is anchored by the first mentioned joint, and the mass of flexible distortable material 24 of the second is firmly compressed between the nut ii and the fitting l, which is anchored to the member i. It will be understood that any internal pressure against the inner end of the second joint will not cause the joint to blow out and will not weaken the Joint. as the assembly as a whole is firmly anchored to the member I.

It is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary, to employ the ferrule in connection with the second Joint. If a thin walled tube is used, then the ferrule serves as a reinforcement to prevent the heavily compressed flexible distortable mass I from collapsing the tube. The fin or rib f the ferrule also being preferably of greater radial extension than the diameter of the aperture of the nut ll through which the tube I passes, the mass between the fin and the inner end of the tapered wall I! of the nut I. is under direct compression. The mass is not under shear, and in practice, if the entire connection is subjected to a destruction test, the tube will give before either Joint will.

Referring to the form of Fig. 5. the structure is identical, except that in the place of the rectilinear tube 8, of the earlier figures, a bend tube to is employed. The parts are otherwise identically numbered. It will be noted that the slidlng Joint can be applied at either end or the tube to as long as an anchored Joint is applied to the other end. The two joints are out of axial alignment.

It will be realized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I wish, therefore, the drawing and description to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

The use and operation oi my invention are as follows:

It often happens, for example in internal combustion engine practice, that a tubular connection may advantageously be inserted between relatively fixed elements. The connection and joint herein described is adapted for use in such restricted spaces.

Referring to the position of the parts, for example in Figs. 1 to 3, the right-hand joint includes the mass of flexible distortable material 2 i, which is anchored on the end or the tube itself in any suitable manner, for example by the ferrule II, with its outwardly extending rib i9. When the member 2| is compressed between the opposed pressure chamber members formed b the elements II and IS, the tube I is thereby anchored against longitudinal movement in relation either to the member! or to the member I. The tube 3 may theoretically be slldable in relation to the left-hand joint, but since the left-hand joint itself is anchored on the member I, and since the tube 3 is anchored in relation to the member 2. there can be no slippage. However. slippage is permitted as soon as the members I! are released. Not only isthe left-hand member it slidable on the tube 3, but the ferrule 22 and the mass of flexible dlstortable material as well. This permits all movable parts of the joint to be slipped back from the left-hand end of the tube 3, so that the tube 3 can be inserted in the bore it far enough to permit the opposite end of the tube to be aligned with the fitting S and to penetrate slightly into the bore of the portion ii of thatfitting.

which is the position the tube takes when both joints are secured,

I have illustrated the bore 12 of the left hand Joint as of greater length than the corresponding bore in the right-hand Joint. It will be understood, of course, that. if desired, identical fittings may be employed. All that is necessary is that the bore of one or both of the fittings shall be of sufficient length to permit th tube 8 to be 56 slid far enough into it to permit the opposite end to clear the edge of the opposite fitting. In effect, and referring to Fig. 2, the cavity of the member I is made of excess length, of a length greater than is necessary for its function in connection with go the completed Joint. This excess length permits the end of the tube 1 to be inserted far enough, as shown in Fig. 2, to allow the opposite end of the tube I to clear the opposite fitting I. This is important, since the fittings I and 8, are sees cured in final position in relation to the abutments l and 2 before the application to them of the tube 8.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be realized that the joint shown herein is well adapted for use with m tubes having one end oflset in relation to the Of course, under some circumstances. the ferrule may be dispensed with.

It will be further understood that preferably the parts are so formed as to permit a reasonable fiexure oi the Joint. This may be of little importanc where the parts I and I are rigidly fixed in relation to each other but it there is any play between them or any shifting in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of the tube 3, a measure of flexure may be desirable. The nuts I 8 are shown as having an extending collar or angular flange lid. If this flange interferes with the fiexure of the Joint it can be shortened or entirely omitted.

I claim:

In a tubular connection between a pair of relatively fixed members, a tube having a smooth generally cylindrical exterior, the tube being 01 a length adapted for simultaneous engagement with both fixed members, a mass or flexible distortable material anchored to the exterior of one end of the tube, a mass of flexible distortable material slidable in relation to the opposite end or the tube, Joint forming means for each end of the tube including a housing element associated with each of the fixed members and adapted to surround an end of the tube and a pair of complementary housing elements mounted on the tube, and means for locking each said housing element on the tube in relation to the housing element on one oi the relatively fixed members, for thereby defining chambers surrounding each of said masses of flexible distortable material, the mass of flexible distortable material which is anchored to on end of the tube preventing movement of the tube in relation to the housing formed about the opposite end of the tube.

EARL HOWE. 

